CHAPTER 16
Naruto stood at the center of the training grounds, his arms crossed, surveying his students with a confident smirk. He could feel their eagerness, their drive to surpass him, but he also knew they had a long way to go. With a single glance at each of them, he could already predict their strategies. Still, he was looking forward to the challenge.
"Alright, guys. Do you want to take me on one at a time, or do you prefer a four-on-one match?"
His students exchanged glances, their eyes filled with determination.
"Why don't you decide, sensei?" Konohamaru suggested, his arms crossed.
Naruto chuckled.
"Four-on-one it is. I need a real workout today."
He then turned to Sasuke, who stood watching from the sidelines with a smirk of his own.
"You want to do the honors, Sasuke? Call it."
Sasuke scoffed, his Sharingan eyes analyzing the four students standing before Naruto.
"Try to beat this idiot. Start!"
The battle erupted instantly.
Udon leaped back, assuming a supportive position, while Konohamaru took the front, his eyes blazing with determination. Hanabi positioned herself just behind him, Byakugan activated, scanning Naruto's every movement. Moegi, ever the strategist, stood at the rear, preparing her jutsu.
"I'll let you have the first hit, as usual," Naruto teased, standing his ground.
Konohamaru smirked and sprang into action.
"Raiton: Keiro Inazuma no Jutsu!"
A sharp bolt of lightning surged from Hanabi's fingertips, aimed precisely at Naruto's tenketsu points. Her speed was impressive, her execution flawless. But Naruto had fought the Hyūga before—he knew their techniques inside and out.
"Hōtai Senpū!"
In an instant, Naruto unsealed a pair of bandages, wrapping them around Hanabi's outstretched arm. With a powerful twist, he redirected her attack towards Konohamaru.
Konohamaru barely managed to dodge in time, flipping away as he countered with his own technique.
"Death Beam!"
A concentrated beam of energy shot from his fingertip, precise and deadly. But Naruto merely swatted it away, sending it soaring harmlessly into the sky.
"Zaker!"
Naruto's eyes glowed yellow as he unleashed a sporadic bolt of lightning from his mouth, aiming straight for Konohamaru.
"Doton: Daitaisō Inin!"
Moegi slammed her palms into the ground, summoning a hardened rock spear that intercepted Naruto's attack, neutralizing the bolt of lightning. Udon seized the opportunity to launch his own attack.
"Suna no Mahō: Shi no Suna!"
A massive wave of sand surged toward Naruto from behind, roaring like a tidal wave. Hanabi smirked.
"You shouldn't turn your back on your opponent, sensei. Raiton: Tobikomi!"
Her body surged with lightning chakra, enveloping her in a golden aura as she zipped toward Naruto at an incredible speed. Naruto sighed.
"You're still too weak to be saying things like that to me, Hanabi."
He stomped the ground, sending a shockwave rippling through the earth. The sheer force of it blasted the incoming sand wave back, along with Hanabi. Moegi reacted swiftly, catching Hanabi and immediately beginning to heal her.
"Ganzu Garon!"
Udon pointed his hands toward Naruto, conjuring multiple spiked iron balls that launched forward at high speed.
"Doton: Tetsu-Iwa Yoroi no Jutsu!"
Naruto's body became encased in a thick layer of earth, compressed to the density of iron. The spiked balls collided against him, shattering harmlessly upon impact.
"Hakke Hazangeki!"
The moment Naruto released his earth armor, Hanabi reappeared before him, her fist coated in chakra and infused with Buso. She struck him with full force, emitting a powerful wave of chakra. The attack sent Naruto flying backward.
"Orga Blaster!"
Konohamaru took advantage of the moment, firing a massive purple energy wave toward Naruto. The explosion was deafening. Moegi narrowed her eyes.
"Do you think we got him?"
A voice answered from behind them.
"It seems you did."
Their eyes widened as they turned to see Naruto standing right beside Konohamaru.
"Oh, shit."
Konohamaru barely had time to react before Naruto struck, blocking his punch and countering with a powerful blow that sent him tumbling backward.
"Doton: Doryūsō!"
Moegi slammed her hands into the ground, summoning multiple rock spikes aimed at Naruto. But he effortlessly dodged each one, weaving between them with ease.
"Raiton: Hirihiri Sesshoku!"
Hanabi suddenly appeared behind him, her hand crackling with lightning chakra as she attempted to land a paralyzing touch.
Naruto spun at the last second, delivering a powerful kick that sent Hanabi flying.
"Kaze Sōsei Mahō: Shippū no Shirataka!"
Udon extended his hands, summoning a massive hawk made of concentrated wind chakra. The beast screeched before diving toward Naruto at incredible speed.
Naruto shook his head.
"You're not ready for that level of attack."
Raising his own hand, he mirrored the technique. But unlike Udon's hawk, Naruto's was five times the size.
The two attacks clashed, but Naruto's completely overpowered Udon's, slicing through it effortlessly before continuing toward its creator.
"Raijin no Kaden Ryūshi Hō!"
Udon quickly retaliated, generating sparks of black lightning between his palms before firing a massive, concentrated beam of dark lightning at the incoming wind hawk. The blast vaporized the attack upon contact.
Naruto smiled, impressed.
"You guys have really improved. But it's time I end this match. Raiton: Senkitsu!"
Naruto's hand glowed with lightning as he swiped at Udon, summoning multiple fox-like constructs made of pure energy. The creatures dashed forward at blinding speed, knocking Udon unconscious before he could react.
"Aura Blast!"
Konohamaru aimed another powerful energy wave at Naruto, but Naruto was already in front of him. With a swift movement, he redirected Konohamaru's palm upward, sending the blast into the sky.
"Still too reckless."
Coating his fist in Buso, Naruto struck Konohamaru, knocking him out cold.
"Raiton: Tōta no Rensa!"
Hanabi attempted to ensnare Naruto with a chain made entirely of lightning chakra, but he dodged at the last second, appearing behind her. A quick chop to the neck, and she collapsed unconscious.
"Doton: Doryūkatsu!"
Moegi made a last-ditch effort, splitting the ground beneath Naruto's feet. Naruto leaped effortlessly into the air.
"Mokuton: Mokuryū no Jutsu!"
A massive wooden dragon surged toward him, its fangs bared. Naruto sighed.
"Not bad. But still not enough. Hell Cutter."
In an instant, he unsealed Senbonzakura and slashed through the air. The strike was so precise, it appeared as if space itself had been cut. The wooden dragon's head was obliterated.
He landed softly in front of Moegi, who barely had time to react before he delivered a light tap to her temple, knocking her out.
Naruto exhaled, stretching his arms.
"You guys did better than last time. Keep training, and you might actually land a hit on me someday."
Sasuke, who had watched the entire fight, crossed his arms.
"Tch. Show-off."
Naruto grinned.
"Jealous?"
Sasuke scoffed but said nothing. He couldn't deny that Naruto's strength had reached a level beyond comprehension. Still, he wouldn't let him have all the glory. Sasuke smirked, rolling his shoulders in preparation. He had been waiting for this spar for a long time.
"You sure you're ready for this, dobe?"
Sasuke taunted, activating his Sharingan.
Naruto grinned, cracking his knuckles.
"I should be asking you that, teme. Don't cry when I put you on your back."
Sasuke scoffed and shifted into a combat stance, but before either of them could make a move, Naruto's expression changed. His playful grin faded into a serious frown as he felt a pulse of chakra resonate through the seal on one of his Hiraishin kunai.
His entire body tensed for a fraction of a second before he relaxed, recognizing the chakra signature. This wasn't just any alert—it was a summons. Something was happening, and fast.
Sasuke noticed the shift in Naruto's demeanor and immediately lowered his arms.
"What is it?"
Naruto didn't answer right away. Instead, he closed his eyes and focused on the kunai's signal, deciphering its location. The sensation was faint but urgent, and that meant only one thing—someone was calling for him. He opened his eyes again, now filled with determination.
"We've got work to do. Get the team ready. It looks like we'll be heading out on a mission soon."
Sasuke studied Naruto's face for a moment before nodding. He could tell that whatever it was, it was serious.
"Understood."
Without hesitation, he turned on his heel and disappeared in a flicker of movement, heading off to gather their team.
Naruto remained in place for a moment longer, his mind racing with possibilities. Who had activated the kunai? Was it an ally in trouble? An enemy luring him into a trap? If someone had triggered one, it meant the situation was dire.
He took a deep breath and glanced up at the sky. The sun was still shining brightly, but Naruto knew that darkness could fall at any moment. Whatever was coming, he had to be ready.
Without wasting another second, Naruto made a single hand seal, teleporting himself and the team in a flash of yellow light toward the source of the signal. Whatever awaited them on the other side, he would be ready.
Sometimes Before…
Sunagakure…
The scorching desert winds howled through the streets of Sunagakure, carrying whispers of urgency and despair. Baki, the ever-diligent right hand of the Kazekage, stormed through the village with swift steps, his mind racing with dread. The unthinkable had happened—Gaara had been taken.
As he reached the Kazekage's office, his fingers clenched around a kunai with a unique three-pronged design. Though this was not the one wielded by the legendary Fourth Hokage, Baki recognized its significance immediately.
This belonged to Naruto Uzumaki, Gaara's closest friend. The young Kazekage had treasured this kunai, keeping it as a reminder of the bond forged through battle and understanding.
With no hesitation, Baki activated the Hiraishin seal etched upon it.
A sudden burst of golden energy erupted in front of him, and in an instant, Naruto Uzumaki stood before him, his sharp blue eyes scanning the room with immediate concern.
"Where is Gaara? And why was it you who activated the Hiraishin?" Naruto asked, his voice low but firm.
Baki exhaled heavily before answering.
"It's the Akatsuki. They've taken him. Kankuro went after them, but I fear for his safety."
Naruto's eyes darkened. He had anticipated this moment for years—the day Akatsuki would move against the Jinchūriki once more. He turned toward the window, staring out at the endless desert beyond.
"Damn it."
Naruto had hoped they would have more time.
"Alright. I'll gather my team and we'll bring Gaara back. If my calculations are correct, it will take Akatsuki at least three days to complete what they're planning."
With that, Naruto didn't waste another second. He raised his fingers in a precise motion and, with a thought, disappeared using Kai-Kai.
Hokage's Office, Konoha…
The air inside the Hokage's office was tense. Tsunade sat at her desk, flanked by Shizune, as Team Yuyumi—Naruto's personal squad—stood in attention.
Kakashi, ever calm, leaned against the wall with his nose buried in a book. Ino stood beside Sakura, both women exchanging glances, sensing something was off. Sasuke, arms crossed, looked impatient, though his sharp gaze lingered on Naruto as the blond arrived in a flash of energy.
Tsunade merely arched a brow.
"That was quick."
Naruto wasted no time.
"Akatsuki is back in action. They've taken Gaara."
A ripple of tension spread through the room.
Sakura clenched her fists.
"Gaara?!"
Naruto nodded at her question.
"That's why we need to go now. Kankuro's gone after them alone, but if he engaged, he's likely injured. Sakura, I'll need you to be ready to treat him. We're heading to Suna first, then straight to Gaara's location."
His squad didn't hesitate. Each one stepped forward, ready to go. Sasuke, however, frowned, clearly caught off guard.
"We're leaving now?"
Naruto sighed.
"You're part of this team, so yeah."
Without waiting for a response, Naruto reached out and grabbed Sasuke's shoulder before placing his free hand on Kakashi's back. The others quickly followed suit.
With a pulse of chakra, Naruto activated Kai-Kai, and the team vanished in an instant.
Kazekage's Office, Sunagakure…
In another flash of golden energy, Naruto and his team arrived at the Kazekage's office.
Baki, who had barely stepped away from the kunai's resting place, turned as they appeared.
"That was fast."
Naruto's gaze immediately sharpened.
"Baki, has Kankuro been retrieved?"
Baki nodded, his expression grave.
"He was found unconscious after facing the Akatsuki member Sasori. His body is laced with an unknown poison."
Naruto's eyes flickered toward Sakura. Without being asked, she was already moving toward the infirmary, her medical bag in hand. The rest of the team followed behind her.
Sunagakure – Infirmary…
Kankuro's body trembled with fever as Sakura placed her hands over his chest, her medical chakra already at work. His breath was ragged, his face pale with sweat pooling at his forehead.
Sakura focused, her hands glowing with a vibrant green hue.
"This poison… it's sophisticated. But I think I can neutralize it."
As she worked, Naruto turned to the others.
"We're not wasting any time. We leave as soon as she's done."
Just then, the doors slammed open. Two elderly figures entered—one a short old woman with sharp eyes, the other a gruff-looking old man.
The old woman's gaze locked onto Kakashi, and her face twisted in rage.
"The White Fang of Konoha!" she growled before lunging at him.
Kakashi didn't move. Instead, his form shimmered, and the woman passed straight through him.
Sasuke's eyes widened, not at the old woman's attack but at Kakashi's Mangekyō Sharingan, which flickered into view. He hadn't realized that his former sensei had unlocked such power. How? Could it be because of the many deaths he had endured?
His thoughts wandered back to his childhood, to the day his father had made him kill the chicken they had raised. That was the first time Sasuke had taken a life, a lesson meant to harden him for the future. Did that mean… the death of a friend didn't necessarily have to be human?
Would he be able to awaken his own Mangekyō Sharingan in the same way?
Meanwhile, the old woman froze in realization. She stepped back, letting out a dry laugh.
"No way. I was acting foolish. GYAHAHA!"
Everyone in the room sweatdropped.
Naruto sighed.
"Alright, now that's over… Kankuro, how are you feeling?"
The young puppeteer stirred, groaning as he opened his eyes.
"Naruto…?"
Sakura wiped sweat from her brow.
"He should be fine now. But he'll need to rest."
Naruto turned to his team.
"Good. Then we move out. We have two Akatsuki members to deal with."
The old woman, now visibly calmer, stepped forward.
"Take me with you."
Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"And you are?"
Baki decided to introduce the Old Lady.
"Chiyo. A former elder of Sunagakure and… Sasori's grandmother."
Chiyo nodded.
"I have unfinished business with my grandson. I want to see him one last time, if only to set things right."
Naruto glanced at his team, then shrugged.
"Fine. Grab on."
Chiyo looked confused, but as she saw the rest of the team place their hands on Naruto's back, she hesitantly did the same.
The moment her fingers touched his shoulder, the world around them shifted in a blink of an eye.
Sometimes Before…
With Sasori and Deidara…
The cavernous hideout of the Akatsuki was dimly lit, its atmosphere thick with an ominous aura. The leader of the organization stood at the center, his piercing gaze fixated on the two returning members. Sasori and Deidara faced him in silence, their expressions unreadable.
"You're late."
The leader's voice was devoid of emotion, yet his words carried an unspoken weight.
Deidara exhaled sharply, a mixture of annoyance and respect laced in his tone as he responded.
"The Jinchūriki was stronger than I expected. He put up quite the fight, hm. It took longer than anticipated."
With a smirk, he unceremoniously dropped Gaara's unconscious body onto the stone floor. The red-haired Kazekage remained motionless, his breathing shallow, his chakra almost completely drained.
The leader stepped forward, his cloak billowing slightly.
"Then let's begin. The extraction will take three days. Remain vigilant and ensure that your real bodies are well-guarded."
A low hum reverberated through the chamber as the ritual commenced. The air shimmered around Gaara's prone form as the monstrous presence of Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast, began to be forcefully pulled from within him. His body twitched involuntarily, and the glow surrounding him intensified.
Then, suddenly, the process halted.
A murmur spread among the gathered Akatsuki members.
"Zetsu. Report."
From the shadows, the half-black, half-white entity known as Zetsu emerged, his split voice carrying urgency.
"The Kyūbi Jinchūriki has arrived. He's brought a team."
The leader's eyes widened slightly, though his face remained impassive.
"How many?"
Zetsu's dark side chuckled.
"Six in total."
The white side continued.
"And they're all stronger than S-rank, save for the old woman."
A tense silence followed. The leader pondered the development for a moment before issuing orders.
"Sasori, Deidara, handle this. Itachi, Kisame, I will use the Shōten no Jutsu to send copies of you two by using the Suna spies. Your objective is clear: eliminate at least one of the intruders."
The four Akatsuki members nodded in understanding. Sasori turned to Itachi.
"What can you tell me about the Kyūbi Jinchūriki?"
Itachi's expression remained unreadable.
"Be wary. He was formidable before. Now, he has become something even greater."
Sasori absorbed the warning, his mind working through strategies. In the next instant, he and Deidara blinked, and when their vision cleared, they were back in the cavern where the barrier had been breached.
Before them stood six figures.
The team they had been warned about had arrived.
Deidara wasted no time. With a flick of his wrist, he grabbed Gaara's unconscious body, forming a massive clay bird beneath him. In a blur of movement, he took to the sky, escaping into the open desert.
Naruto's eyes locked onto the retreating figure.
"Everyone, go after Deidara! Our main objective is to save Gaara!"
The rest of the team nodded and immediately pursued, leaving Naruto alone with Chiyo to face Sasori.
Naruto sighed, knowing that Chiyo, stubborn as she was, wouldn't stand down. He turned to her.
"Baa-chan, this isn't your fight. You're here to talk, not battle."
Chiyo scoffed.
"I've fought wars, boy. Don't underestimate me."
Ignoring Naruto's words, she hurled a barrage of kunai at Sasori. The puppeteer raised his arm, effortlessly deflecting the projectiles with his puppet body, revealing the unnatural, wooden construction beneath his cloak.
Naruto watched with mild amusement.
"So you really are a puppet."
Sasori smirked.
"I am beyond human limitations. But you'll learn that soon enough."
As he extended his chakra threads, Naruto moved in an instant. His eyes glowed pink, his fingers morphing into razor-sharp claws. With a single swipe, he severed every chakra thread Sasori attempted to use, shocking both Chiyo and Sasori.
"Impossible."
Sasori muttered.
"Doton: Doryō Dango!"
Naruto swiftly lifted a massive chunk of earth and hurled it at Sasori. The attack was too sudden to evade, and the puppet body known as Hiruko was shattered upon impact, revealing the true form of Sasori underneath.
"It seems Itachi-san was right. I will have to use my Strongest Puppet Out."
Sasori VS Uzumaki Naruto Begins…
Sasori unsealed his most prized puppet, the legendary Kazekage, known for his mastery over the Iron Sand.
Chiyo's breath hitched.
"That's… the Third Kazekage?!"
Chiyo instinctively reached for her own scroll, but Naruto snatched it away.
"Baa-chan, just stay back and watch."
"You idiot! This is the strongest Kazekage in history!"
Naruto merely smirked.
"I defeated your current Kazekage and Orochimaru when I was twelve. This is nothing more than a warm-up."
Sasori's face remained impassive, but his grip tightened. With a flick of his fingers, the Kazekage puppet launched a storm of Iron Sand projectiles at Naruto.
"Rao Diboren!"
Naruto's eyes glowed white as he swiped his hand forward. A massive spectral tiger, wreathed in chakra, materialized and clawed through the incoming assault, tearing apart the deadly projectiles mid-air.
Sasori's brows furrowed.
"So you have some tricks, Uzumaki."
One of the broken iron projectiles suddenly released a poisonous gas, enveloping Naruto in a violet cloud.
"Fūton: Tōraitan!"
Naruto spun rapidly, expelling a powerful gust of wind that not only dispelled the poison but redirected it toward Sasori.
A flicker of surprise crossed Sasori's face.
"Well, this has become quite awkward. Shall I get serious, too?"
Naruto grinned, his eyes flashing with exhilaration.
"By all means, Sasori. Let's see what you've got."
The Sandaime Kazekage puppet's mouth opened wide, and a flood of dark, metallic grains poured out, swirling into the air like a living storm.
"It's been a long time since I've used this technique."
Sasori's voice carried both pride and malice.
"This is the jutsu that made the Sandaime Kazekage the strongest of them all."
Naruto smirked, eyes gleaming with understanding.
"Let me guess—he earned that title because of his ability to counter an Ichibi Jinchuriki. This is Magnet Release, right?"
Chiyo's eyes widened slightly in surprise.
"How do you know about that, boy?"
Sasori, however, ignored the exchange and clapped his hands.
"Satetsu Shigure."
The grains of Iron Sand suddenly hardened into deadly projectiles, each as small as a senbon yet far deadlier. In an instant, they shot toward Naruto like a hailstorm, each piece moving with blinding speed.
But Naruto didn't flinch. Instead, he calmly raised his hand.
"Jiton: Kakushi Kekkai no Jutsu."
Chiyo gasped as she witnessed something she had never seen before—the Iron Sand stopped abruptly, halting in midair just five feet in front of Naruto before collapsing harmlessly to the ground.
"Impossible. That was the Third Kazekage's most powerful ability! No one else should be able to control his Satetsu!"
Naruto just grinned.
"You're not the only one with tricks, Sasori. Now it's my turn."
Lightning crackled at his feet as he bent his knees slightly, his body tensing like a coiled spring.
"Raiton: Denko Hashiru no Jutsu."
A sharp blue streak of lightning erupted from his legs as he shot forward, crossing the distance between himself and the Sandaime Kazekage puppet in a blink. Before Sasori could react, Naruto twisted his body mid-air, channeling his energy into his leg. A deep black aura spread over his foot, a manifestation of Busoshoku Haki.
With all the momentum from his lightning dash, Naruto executed a brutal roundhouse kick. The air itself cracked with the sheer force of the attack.
Sasori, acting quickly, commanded the Iron Sand to form a defensive wall around the puppet, hoping to block Naruto's strike. But what happened next shocked him to his core.
The moment Naruto's foot made contact with the barrier of Iron Sand, a pulse of energy erupted from the point of impact. Sasori watched in horror as the energy bypassed the outer shell entirely, vibrating through the puppet's core. This was not just raw strength—it was internal destruction.
With a deafening crunch, the Sandaime Kazekage puppet cracked apart. Its once-pristine frame shattered like fragile porcelain as deep fissures ran through its structure. The Iron Sand it once controlled collapsed lifelessly to the ground.
Sasori took a step back, stunned.
"T-That technique… What did you do?!"
Naruto landed gracefully, dusting off his foot.
"Internal Destruction. Your puppet was tough on the outside, but I bypassed that and shattered it from the inside. No matter how strong your outer shell is, if the core is weak, it's useless."
Chiyo, who had been watching with cautious interest, shook her head.
"Unbelievable. To think a boy from Konoha would be capable of such a feat."
Sasori's expression twisted into something between irritation and intrigue.
"You're better than I expected, Naruto Uzumaki."
He slowly raised his arms, chakra threads extending from his fingers.
"But don't get ahead of yourself. That was only the beginning."
Naruto narrowed his eyes as Sasori retrieved another scroll and unsealed a new set of puppets. Dozens of them emerged, each one finely crafted and deadly in its own right.
Sasori smirked darkly.
"Now, let's see how you handle my true power. I used this Technique to Kill an Entire Country."
Sasori's expression remained unreadable as he let his Akatsuki robe fall to the ground, revealing his true form beneath it. His body was not that of a normal man; it was a puppet, an eerie and lifeless construct, save for the burning determination in his eyes.
With calculated precision, he reached behind him and pulled out a scroll, unsealing a massive arsenal of puppets. At the same time, a compartment on his chest opened, and numerous chakra threads extended outward, attaching themselves to each of the puppets hovering in the air.
"I can't believe I have to use this technique against someone like you. But still, I will grant you the honor of witnessing my greatest masterpiece. Akahigi: Hyakki no Sōen!"
A hundred puppets materialized around him, their wooden bodies gleaming with deadly precision. Each one bore different weapons—blades, scythes, kunai launchers, and other hidden mechanisms—all designed for destruction. Their glowing eyes flickered ominously as they prepared to strike. The cave echoed with the sound of wood creaking and gears shifting as the puppets awaited their master's command.
Naruto, however, remained calm. A small smirk played on his lips as he reached into his own arsenal and unsealed his blade. The air crackled with a subtle yet overwhelming energy as he grasped the familiar hilt.
"No. You stand proud. After all, you made me use this after such a long time."
He raised his sword, and with a single command, the blade vanished into thousands of small, glowing sakura petals.
"Chire, Senbonzakura."
Sasori's eyes narrowed in confusion for a brief second before widening as the realization hit him. The metal petals floated ominously around Naruto like a shimmering storm, twinkling under the dim light. To the untrained eye, they were harmless, delicate—beautiful, even. But to someone as experienced as Sasori, they were nothing short of death itself.
Sasori scoffed.
"Have you lost your mind? There's nothing there but a hilt. Did you go senile in the face of death?"
Without another word, he commanded his army of puppets to attack. Like a massive tidal wave, they rushed forward, their weapons poised to tear Naruto apart.
Naruto simply smiled and flicked his wrist. The petals, responding to his will, surged forward in a blur of speed. What followed was nothing short of a massacre. The first line of puppets shattered instantly as the deadly petals sliced through them like a hot knife through butter. Splinters and broken limbs flew in every direction. Before the remaining puppets could even react, they too fell victim to the relentless swarm of blades disguised as delicate flowers.
Chiyo, who had been standing behind Naruto, watched in stunned silence. Each puppet, a masterpiece crafted by Sasori, was being systematically destroyed within seconds. It was an overwhelming display of power and technique unlike anything she had ever seen.
Sasori's expression finally shifted, his confident smirk giving way to disbelief as the last of his hundred puppets crumbled into nothing. His ultimate technique—his legacy—had been completely and utterly dismantled.
The petals slowly reassembled, merging back into the blade in Naruto's hand. He let out a small breath and twirled the hilt once before pointing it directly at Sasori.
"It seems you have nothing left to let's finish this in one last strike."
Sasori clenched his fists, unwilling to accept his defeat so easily.
"You think this is over?"
But before he could make another move, Naruto whispered the name of his final technique.
"Gengetsu Kiripō."
A single slash cut through the air, an ethereal crescent of pure energy trailing behind it. Sasori barely had time to react before the attack struck him square in the chest. For the first time in decades, he felt something he had long forgotten—pain. His body, his carefully crafted puppet form, began to crack and splinter.
He gasped as the damage spread, his limbs falling apart piece by piece. For a brief moment, as the light of his artificial life dimmed, his mind wandered back to the past—to a time when he was still human, still capable of feeling. He thought of his parents, the ones he had lost so young, the ones whose absence had driven him to this path of cold, emotionless perfection.
"Amen," Naruto whispered as he sheathed his blade, sealing it away.
Sasori's lifeless body crumbled, leaving behind only his core—the last remnant of his existence. It rolled across the ground before coming to a stop at Chiyo's feet. She bent down slowly, picking up the fragile piece of her grandson, her wrinkled hands trembling slightly. She let out a small sigh, her expression unreadable.
Naruto turned away. "Let's go back once I have searched Sasori's Robe, old lady."
Chiyo nodded absentmindedly, still staring at the remains of the once-feared Akatsuki member.
"I underestimated you. You were barely even winded."
Naruto didn't respond. He searched the Cloak and found a scroll. He read the scroll and smiled. It seems that Orochimaru was going to fight him for the fourth time. But Naruto would make sure it was the Final Time Orochimaru faced him or anyone.
With Deidara and the Others…
Sometimes before…
"Just stop already. You're not going to catch me."
Deidara taunted them, his voice filled with amusement as his clay bird soared through the sky. His single visible eye glinted with arrogance as he turned back to glance at his pursuers.
"And honestly, it was foolish of you to leave the Kyuubi Jinchuriki with Sasori-senpai. If you ask me, this worked out perfectly! By the end of the day, we'll have captured not just one, but two Jinchuriki."
Deidara let out a short, triumphant laugh, fully confident that he was in control of the situation.
On the ground below, Kakashi narrowed his eyes behind his forehead protector. He knew Deidara was trying to get into their heads, but they didn't have time for mind games. Gaara's life was on the line. Every second counted.
Sakura, running at full speed beside Kakashi, clenched her fists tightly.
"He's too far! We need to stop him now!"
Kakashi gave her a sharp nod.
"Then let's go."
Without hesitation, he grabbed her wrist and spun, using his momentum to launch her straight into the air.
Sakura clenched her teeth as she rocketed toward Deidara, her fist drawn back and coated with chakra.
"Shannaro!" she roared, throwing her punch forward with bone-crushing force.
But before she could make contact, a massive, scaly sword intercepted her attack. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air.
"What—?!"
Sakura's eyes widened as she was pushed back, landing on a nearby cliff. She barely had time to catch her breath before she noticed who had blocked her strike. A towering figure with blue skin and a shark-like grin stood before her, resting Samehada against his shoulder.
"Hah, not bad. But you'll need more than brute force if you wanna take me down, little girl."
Sakura's fists trembled at her sides as she glared at Kisame.
Meanwhile, further down the battlefield, Sasuke, Kakashi, and Ino skidded to a halt as a lone figure stepped onto the path before them.
Uchiha Itachi.
Sasuke's breath hitched for just a moment. His brother stood there, calm and composed, his crimson Sharingan eyes piercing through the space between them.
"It seems you've grown stronger, Sasuke. But tell me… are you ready to defeat me?"
Sasuke's grip tightened around the hilt of his sword. For years, he had dreamed of this moment—facing his brother once again. But this was not him.
Then, suddenly, he exhaled sharply and stepped forward, walking right past Itachi.
Itachi's eyes narrowed slightly in curiosity.
"I believe you can handle this, Ino."
Sasuke said flatly, not even turning back.
Kakashi smirked beneath his mask and followed.
"He's not even the real one."
Ino nodded, stepping forward as her blue eyes locked onto Itachi's.
"Then let's make this quick."
Itachi simply smiled.
"Interesting."